Ron Hoak, quoting George H. W. Bush, said “the container is corroding. The container is corroding because it is filled with hate. If you don’t want the container to corrode, fill it with love and kindness. Remember you are the container.”

ANNOUNCEMENTS, Etc.
President Art showed a professionally done video presentation on our club’s emerging Childhood Literacy Initiative at the Harry Kizirian School. This video is on the club’s Facebook page and will be sent to prospective donors/sponsors.

Randy Dittmar spoke about the Dictionary project with 10 more schools in need of volunteers to drop off dictionaries. Randy has the signup sheet with school address and school contact number and instructions. It’s important that the dictionaries be delivered directly to children in their classrooms. If you need help carrying the boxes, ring the bell and go to the front desk to ask if a custodian can help you.

Nondas Voll announced that Past President Mike Kelly will be Grand Marshal at the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Providence. There is a dinner planned in his honor on Thursday, Feb 28th at the Shriners Imperial Room in Cranston. Nondas will bring invitations to our next meeting.

Rotary International President-elect Mark Daniel Maloney’s theme for 2019-20 asks Rotarians to strengthen the many ways that Rotary Connects the World, building the connections that allow talented, thoughtful, and generous people to unite and take meaningful action through Rotary service.

Wendy Marcus announced Birthdays for February with a rose and Valentine for Phyllis Fern, Ken Conde, Walter Cotter and Jim Williams.

HAPPY BUCKS

Pete Brock gave 4 Happy Bucks for Patriots Super Bowl win!!

Bill David gave a Happy Buck for his San Miguel chess team!

Jim Gilcreast gave a Happy Buck for the Patriots’ Super Bowl win and his recent 10-day cruise and 45 Happy Bucks for the 45 years that he has been a Rotarian.

Kris David gave a Happy Buck for her recent visit to Kennedy Elementary School with Mary Cullen to deliver dictionaries. The kids loved getting their own dictionaries. Kris also gave a Happy buck for Pete and Emily’s Happy Nuptials on Feb 8th

Dick Gregory gave a Happy Buck for the Super Bowl win.

Terri Adelman gave a Happy Buck for the Dictionary project.

Priya Banerjee gave a Happy Buck to say she was glad to be back. She has been busy teaching a class and is Happy to be done with plastic surgery following her weight loss.

Geoff Gaunt gave 40 Happy Bucks, 10 for his trip to Las Vegas for a conference, 10 for the Patriots’ win and $20 for Susan Kearney Kaplan being at the Super Bowl Game!

David Hunter gave a Happy buck because he was happy.

Wendy Marcus gave a Happy Buck for Pete Brock’s upcoming wedding.

Kevin Kernan gave a Happy Buck for the game.

Tiffany Bumgardner-Scheffler gave a Happy Buck for a celebration on Friday as the first day that girls officially are part of the Boy Scouts.

Rev. Ralph Barlow gave a Happy Buck for the Chinese New Year and how his predecessor, James (Paddy) Wilson at the Beneficent Church on Weybosset Street helped Chinese Immigrants learn English and find jobs. We cannot forget; we are a land of immigrants.

President Art gave a Happy Buck for the welcomed 50 degrees in February.

139 YEARS SERVING THE ARTS
AND ARTISTS IN PROVIDENCEMichael Rose, gallery manager of the Providence Art Club, gave a brief history of the club which was founded by men and women on Feb 19th, 1880, to promote the appreciation of arts in Providence. The club has been a place for artists and art patrons to congregate, display and appreciate visual art. This will be the 139th year!

The club manages 4 historic properties on Thomas Street including five studios and three exhibition spaces with 3 new exhibits every 3 weeks. They have a great culinary staff who provides lunch in their Café, Angell’s Lane Bar, and for receptions and special dinners throughout the year.

The club offers many classes, lectures, workshops, artist public talks. Membership is open to both artists and non-artists, and galleries are open to the public. Rotarian Mary Brewster is an artist member who recently won an esteemed award.